(WTUL)
The WTUL is the first American national trade union dedicated to women workers. Due to the fact that the American Federation of Labor (AFL) would not include women workers into its unions, settlement workers Lillian Wald and Jane Addams, together with labor leaders Mary Kenney O'Sullivan and Leonora O'Reilly, formed the WTUL in 1903. Branches in New York City, Chicago, and Boston helped to improve working conditions, establish a minimum wage and working hours, and abolish child labor. In 1909-1911, a series of garment worker strikes occurred. The WTUL set up strike funds for workers in need. After the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Company fire in New York City, the WTUL conducted an investigation and was influential in establishing new factory safety regulations. In 1950, the WTUL was dissolved.
Historical Dictionary of the Fashion Industry. Francesca Sterlacci and Joanne Arbuckle.